Cudgen's run of form continues

CUDGEN continued its winning form on a mixed weekend for Tweed teams in the LJ Hooker League while Terranora blew a chance to return to the top four.

Cudgen cemented its top-two position with a 59-run victory over Tintenbar-East Ballina at Reg Dalton Oval.

South Tweed Colts reignited its season with a huge 63-run win over Lennox Head at Dave Burns Field, which puts the side just one point shy of returning to the top four.

Murwillumbah claimed a shock win over Ballina Bears at Rabjones Oval, a result that aids the Colts in its quest for a finals spot.

Meanwhile, Terranora’s slide continued with a heartbreaking defeat to Southern Districts.

The Lismore side got the winning runs with one ball remaining and only one wicket in hand.

Terranora would have moved back into finals contention had it won, thanks to the heroics of Colts and Murwillumbah.

Terranora’s innings started solidly with Adam Rodgers (24) and Heath Wilson (24) scoring well but things really got going when Josh Bonnor (50no) and Josh Callegari (40no) combined in an unbeaten eighth-wicket partnership and the team made a competitive 168 off its 40 overs.

Terranora would have won if Callegari bowled as well as he batted but the usually impressive representative fast bowler went for a wicketless 48 runs from eight overs.

Grant Thompson was more effective with the ball, taking 4-22 off eight. Josh Bonnor took 2-28 and Craig Bonnor 1-19, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Colts were guided to victory by a solid team batting effort led by Tony McDonald with a quickfire 41 runs.

Dougie Hawkins (4-17) was in vintage form with the ball as Lennox was dismissed for just 82 runs on a pitch Colts scored 145 on.

Cudgen was rescued from early trouble batting first by Jamie Wilson (69) and Aaron Laycock (21) after losing its first three wickets for 38 runs.

From there, most of Cudgen’s batsmen contributed, with Jordyn Wilson (16) and James Adams (29) making valuable contributions to the 180 total.

Mick Anderson was at his best with the ball, taking 3-19.

James Julius (1-17) was quiet on his return from representative duties, bowling a tight spell for not much reward. James Adams backed up his 29 with a 2-31 five-over spell. Tait Burns again proved his worth as a part-time bowler, taking 2-11 off five overs. Damien King’s spin bowling (2-23) cleaned up the tail.

Pottsville’s tough road trip to Casino proved a challenge and despite some Brian Wirth heroics, the side was beaten comfortably by 73 runs.

Wirth (21) was equal top scorer for Pottsville with Ryan Howard, then took 3-33 with the ball.

In other LJ Hooker League matches, Marist Brothers beat Lismore Workers and Alstonville was beaten by Byron Bay.